It’s that time of year again; that time where people spend billions upon billions of dollars giving people a bunch of useless gifts that they don’t want or need! But what if this year we throw in the towel? What if we refuse to buy a bunch of useless gift baskets and gadgets that end up sitting in someone’s garage or attic?
Preparedness Gifts: Giving the Gift of Preparedness
Instead of throwing away your hard earned money on a bunch of junk, what if this year you used that money to help prepare yourself and your family? Instead of rushing off to grab some meaningless gift off the shelf at Walmart, why not give your friends and family the gift of preparedness?
Trac-Grabber Traction Blocks
If you’re looking for practical gifts or things that can help ease your friends and family into becoming better prepared, this is a good place to start.
The Trac-Grabber Traction Blocks are something that everyone should have in their emergency vehicle kits, especially if you drive in snowy areas or out in the backcountry.It’s also a gift that opens the door to preparedness and allows you to start talking to those stubborn friends and family who think nothing bad will ever happen to them.
If your vehicle ever gets stuck in the snow, sand or mud, the Trac-Grabber is an easy solution that straps right on your wheel in seconds and will help dig you out without having to worry about calling for help.
Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Knife
The Mora Bushcraft Survival Knife is a great well-balanced blade that won’t break the bank. It’s also got a coolness factor that makes it a gift most people will not forget.
Selling for a fraction of what most so-called “survival knives” sell for, the Mora Bushcraft definitely holds its own when compared its more expensive counterparts. Throw in the plastic sheath, the integrated diamond sharpener, and the Swedish fire steel, and you really can’t find a better deal on a high-quality survival knife.
ToughTested Solar Power Bank
This is another item that I think everyone should have in their vehicle, it’s also another good way to stealthfully introduce the topic of preparedness. Simply slip it in your glove compartment box and you never have to worry about being left without a charge for your phone or tablet during an emergency.
The Tough Tested 16,000 mAh Solar Powered Battery Pack has a 280mAh solar panel, dual USB Ports, and smart technology that detects your devices exact amperage requirements.
Klarus XT11X Flashlight
When it comes to Urban Survival tools, a flashlight is an essential piece of gear. But settle for any crappy little light, you need something that can serve a dual purpose, something that can also be used for self-defense. The Klarus XT11X is a tactical flashlight that delivers an incredible 3200 lumens of power and can be used to do some real damage during an emergency.
The XT11X is designed for self-defense and tactical use and features:
- LIGHT: American Made CREE XHP 70.2 P2 LED – 3200 Lumen output
- WATERPROOF: Waterproof to IPX-8 Standard
- Batteries: 3100 mAh high-quality Rechargeable 18650 IMR Battery
- Multiple Safety Systems: Intelligent Thermal Protection System (ITS), Intelligent Battery Identification System (IBIS), Intelligent Charging System (ICS)
- Aero-space Aluminum alloy body with CNC machining; Mil-spec hard anodizing (HA III); lightweight yet robust construction.
- Stainless bezel ring offers protection from impact.
The Klarus XT11X retails for as low as $99.
Yaesu VX-6R Submersible VHF/UHF Radio
When it comes to Emergency Ham Radios, it doesn’t get much better than the Yaesu VX-6R. Yes, it’s expensive, but this radio is meant for serious emergency communications and is built to take a beating. It’s submersible and rated waterproof up to 3Ft for 30 minutes. When your Chinese knock-off craps out, this baby will be up and running and ready for any disaster.
As for the specs, it gives you standard ham operating (RX/TX) bands (2 meter, 1.25 meter & 70cm), plus it covers from 0.5-999Mhz, gives you continuous reception for Shortwave, FM/AM broadcasts, analog TV stations, audio aircraft, public service channels, and emergency weather stations.
SOG PowerAssist Multi-Tool
This is something that I personally carry with me on a daily basis as part of my EDC Kit, and it’s probably the best Multitool that I have ever owned.
The SOG PowerAssist is a 16 component multitool that includes pliers, two blades, screwdrivers, and a v-cutter that I absolutely love for cutting braided fishing line when I’m out fishing. But what I really like about this Multitool is how unbelievable smooth and powerful the gear driven Compound Leverage mechanism makes it. I’ve been using this tool for the last couple of years and I’ve really beat the hell out of it; in all that time it hasn’t lost any of the smoothness or power that it had when I first got it.
The Ultimate Situational Survival Guide: Self-Reliance Strategies for a Dangerous World
One of the best gifts you can give is the gift of preparedness.
I wrote The Ultimate Situational Survival Guide as a real-world guide to help people prepare for and survive the very real threats that they will face in today’s world. The book has been on Amazon’s best seller list multiple times.
The guide gives your loved ones step-by-step instructions for surviving urban crime and criminal attacks, disease outbreaks and pandemics; economic problems and social unrest, and man-made and natural disasters
Yes, I agree. Giving a gift is a gentle push. It is a way to help people without meeting a great deal of resistance. Good habits start with the first step.
It also tells your family what type of presents you want to receive. I will usually make my Christmas presents limited to just a few. Children don’t generally like clothes for example or books. So I put a toy with them. But the toy will be inexpensive. And for grown kids, I’ll attach a box of chocolates to the book.
Great ideas. Show your loved ones you care with something they can actually use! Solar powered items are especially useful and popular for gifts.